CHAPTER 7 User Interface and Decision Visualization Application.

CHAPTER 7

User Interface and Decision Visualization Application

Fall, 2007 All Right Reserved, Zhong YAO, School of E&M, BHU 6-2

7.1 User Interface: An overviewLike other computer application, the design of an

appropriate of MSS user interface could be most import determinant of success of the MSS implementation. Why? User is limited computer experience.

To many users, the user interface is a system, for example,– MSS executive time– Learning time– Ease of recall– Versatility– Error made by end-users– Quality of help provided – adaptability of changes– Concentration level required by end-user– Fatigue from using the system– Uniformity– Funny


7.1 User Interface: An overviewThe user interface is

– The hardware and software that facilitate communication and interaction between the user and the computer.

– User interfaces are a subset of the field called human-computer interaction, which is the study of people, computer technology, and the ways these interacts.

– The interface includes responses and involves an exchange of graphic, acoustic, tactile, and other means of communication

– The user interface may be thought of as a surface through which data are passed back and forth between user and computer.


7.1 User Interface: An overview

Presentation Language

Action

LanguageUser System

Knowledge Task

Generate the display

Application

Processing

Interpret the user input

Interpret the display

Process the content

Plan and take action


7.1 User Interface: An overview Physical device includes

– Input device: mouse, microphone, keyboard, etc.– Output device: monitor, speaker.

Display data provide a context for interaction and give cues for action by the user (assuming the user knows how to interpret what is displayed)

The user formulates a response and takes an action. Data then passes back to the computer through the interface.

The cyclic process shown in figure consists of following elements:

– Knowledge is the information the user must have to communicate with the computer. It may be user’s expertise.


7.1 User Interface: An overview– Dialog is an observable series of interchange or

interactions between the user and the computer– Action Language takes various forms, ranging from

selection an item from the menu to answering a question, moving window,or typing a command etc.

– Computer interprets the user’s action (input), executes a task and generates a display.

– Presentation Language is the information displayed to the user via output devices. These information can displayed in menu, windows, or text. It can be static or dynamic, numeric or symbolic.

– User’s action is the user interprets the display, processes the content, and plans an action.


7.1 User Interface: An overview Provide an effective interface is a complex task due to

technological, psychological, physical, and other influencing factors. The following are some important issues in building a user interface:

– Choice of input and output device– Screen design– Human-machine interaction sequence– Use of colors and shading– Information density– Use of icons and symbols (especially important in OO)– Information display format

The User Interface Management System


7.1 User Interface: An overview The User Interface Management System

– UIMS accommodates the various information representations identified during the requirements specification portion of the CBIS design phase. Also accommodates the action languages that enable the user to manage the computer inputs and outputs in the form of dialog or process.

– The UIMS provides an interface between the system user and the rest of the system. There is much interests in the subject of human-computer interfaces.


7.2 Interface Modes (Styles)

The combination of presentation and the action language is called an Interface (or interactive ) Mode.

– Determine how information is entered and displayed– Determine the ease and simplify of learning and using the

system– Styles: Menu interaction, command language, question

and answers, form interaction, natural language processing, and graphics user interface.

Menu Interaction– The user selects an item from a list of possible choice for

the function to be performed. The choice is made by input device

– Menu appears in a logical order, starting with a main menu and going to submenu. Menu items can include command that appear in separate submenus or in the



menus with non-command items.– Menu can become tedious and time-consuming when

complex situations are analyzed because it may take several menus to build or use a system and the user must shift back and forth among the menus.

– Pull-Down Menu– A pull-down menu is a submenu that appears as a

superimposed drop-down menu o the screen, usually as a submenu of main menu

– Pop-up Menu, more quick and direct ways. Often used to perform a property setting, and communicate with the system.

Command Language: input a command such as run or plot. Some commands can be executed by a function keys. Macro is also simplifying style.



– Form Interaction, user enters data or commands into designated spaces (fields) forms, The headings of the form serve as a prompts for the input.

– Natural Language: A human-computer interaction that is similar to a human-human dialog is called natural language. Today, NL is done mainly via keyboard. It hopes using voice for input and output in future.

– Graphic User Interface: In this style, objects, usually represented as icons (or symbol), are directly manipulated by the user. For example, the user can point the mouse or the cursor at the icon and use a command to move it.


7.2 Interface Modes (Styles) Comparison of interface Modes

DimensionMenu interaction

Fill in the blanks (forms)

Command Language GUI

Questions and anwsers

Speed Slow at times Moderate Fast Could be Slow Slow at timesAccuracy Error free Moderate Many errors Error free ModerateTraining time Short Moderate Long Short ShortUser's preference Very high Low

Prefer, if trained (only) High High

Power Low Low Very high Moderate to high Moderate

Flexibility Limited Very limited Very high Moderate to high high

Control The system The system The userthe system and the user The system



– Questions and Answers: this mode begins with the computer asking the user a question. The user answer the question with a phase or a sentence (or by selecting an item from a menu). The computer may prompt the user for clarification or additional input. In certain application, the sequence of questioning may be reversed. The user asks a question and computer gives an answer. In some expert system, for example, instead of being asked to answer one question at a time, the user is asked to answer several questions at once. (K-version expert system)

– Several studies have been conducted to determine the efficiency and accuracy of the various interface modes. See table



– Hybrid ModesInterface modes can be combined to provide improved functionality and quality.According to Sanker et al.[1995], the cost of a DSS interface can run as high as 60 to 70 percent of the total cost of building a DSS. It is important that the interface be adaptable to different user’s needs and communicate consistent commands to the internal components of the DSS.

– Sanker et al.[Jan. 1995],A DSS User Interface Model to Provide Consistency and Adoptibility.” Decision Support Systems.


7.3 GraphicsGraphics enables the presentation of information in a way that more clearly conveys the meaning of data and permits users to visualize relationships. The value of charts and graphs in the communication of numeric data has long been recognized

Graphics Software

– Aims to present visual images of information

– Graph or charts formed from numeric data or text and symbol.

– Many software provide both graph and chart

– Integrated software allows users to create graphic output directly from database or worksheet.

– Standalone graphics package are usually more powerful than the integrated ones.


7.3 GraphicsHarvard Graphics, PowerPoint, SAS Graph, Lotus Freelance, DrawPerfect, Tell-a-Graph.

New concept in 3-D graphics and Virtual Reality will be enabling the managers to visualize problems and solution in more effective ways.

The role of Computer GraphicsGraphics is especially important for business problem

solving and decision making because they help managers visualize data, relationship, and summaries.

A wide variety of graphics forms can be generated by computers.

See figure 7.2


7.3 Graphics

Model Base and Its Management

Quantitative Models and Building Blocks

Electronic Spreadsheet and other Generators

Other Management Support Software

Reports

Database

And its Management

Computer Graphics

user

Computer Graphics in MSS


7.3 Graphics

Types of Computer Graphics– Text plays a critical role in graphics, listing points that

the speaker is discussing, showing subject titles, identifying components and values of a chart, and so on.

– Time-series chart can be value of one or more variables over time

– Bar and pie chart can be used to show total values (by the size of the bar or pie), as well as component values, such as breakdowns of, say, “source of money received”

– Scatter diagrams show the relationship between two variables, such as the number of air travelers who fly on Mondays, Tuesdays, and so on.

– Maps can be two- or three-dimensional. Two-dimensional maps are useful for showing spatial relationships, such as the locations of customers and the


7.3 Graphics (continue)

locations of a company’s customer service facilities. Three-Dimensional maps show surface contours with a three-D effect.

– Layouts of rooms, buildings, or shopping centers convey much information in simple diagrams.

– Hierarchy charts, such as organizational charts, are widely used.

– Sequence charts, such as flowcharts, show the necessary sequence of events, and which activities can be done in parallel.

– Motion graphics, such as motion pictures, and television, clearly will continue to perform vital function

– Desktop publishing systems that have extensive graphics capabilities.


7.4 Multimedia and HypermediaA User interface can be enriched with multimedia. There is an increasing trend to use multimedia in DSS. Computerized systems employ several multimedia technologies as presentation devices. Multimedia can also be an integral part of information processing and decision making.

Multimedia refers to a pool of human-machine communication media, some of which can be combined in one application (see table). In information technology, the basic idea behind an interactive multimedia approach is the use of computers to improve human-machine communication by using several items of the media pool with the computerized system at the center of the application. Such integration allows the combination of the strengths of sound, text, graphics, and other media. One class of multimedia is called hypermedia. New, three-dimensional standards have been adopted with the Virtual


7.4 Multimedia and HypermediaHuman-machine communication media:Computer Projected still visuals

CRT and terminals SlideCD_ROM OverheadComputer interactive videodiskDigital video interactive Graphics materialsCompact disc interactive PicturesCimputer simulation Printed job aidsTeletext/videotext Visual displayIntelligent tutoring systemHypertext AudioImaging digitizing Tape/cassette/recordScanners Teleconference/audioconferenceScreen projection MicrophoneObject-oriented programming Sound digitizing

Compact discMotion image Music

Video disc (cassette)Motion pictureBroadcast television TextTeleconference/videoconferenceAnimationVirtual Reality


7.4 Multimedia and Hypermedia Reality Markup Language (VRML) for web delivery.

One new area of multimedia is that of training. The ability to manage and manipulate multimedia data along with inexpensive Web browsers makes multimedia-based training an alternatives to live classrooms.

Multimedia DSS There is a growing trend to include multimedia data type directly in DSS and expert systems as database support their storage, retrieval, and manipulation. For example, the Windows-based expert system shell K-version supports the use of multimedia objects directly while running an application.This is especially useful in diagnosis expert system applications, where a photograph, diagram, or video clip can describe how one can repair a broken device. Also, sound maybe used. Instead of the system asking the user whether he or she hears a loud, clicking sound, K-version


7.4 Multimedia and Hypermedia can play a sound directly. In the same way, a multimedia

DSS can be designed to handle any decision-making problem that requires multimedia data to assist the decision makers. Because most database vendors are providing multimedia capabilities and Web hooks for Internet and intranet delivery of data, more multimedia will be incorporated in DSS in the future.

HypermediaHypermedia describes documents that could contain several types of media, which allow information to be linked by association. Hypermedia may contain several layers of information, such as

– A menu-based natural language interface to provide a simple and transparent way for users to run the system and query it.

– An object-oriented database that permits concurrent access to its data structure operations.


7.4 Multimedia and Hypermedia– A relational query interface that can efficiency support

complex queries– A hypermedia abstract machine that lets users link

different types of information– Media editors that provide ways to view and edit text,

graphics, images, and voice.– A change management virtual memory to manage

temporary versions, configurations, and transformations of design entities.

By adding control structures to hypermedia systems, it is possible to enhance MSS applications. It is especially effective in searching for specific information.

Two classes of hypermedia:– As a presentation tool used for knowledge and data

navigation.


7.4 Multimedia and Hypermedia– Active participation in research to help record, organize,

and integrate information and processes. The essence of role is the support of intelligent research management and information synthesis.

– Hypertext is an approach for handling text and graphic information that allows the users to jump from a given topic, whenever they wish, to related ideas. Reading or viewing of information thus becomes open ended and controlled by the user.

• Hypertext allows users to access information in a nonlinear fashion by following a train of thought.

• It lets the reader control the level of details and the type of information displayed.

• It allows a quick search according to the reader’s interest

• Hypertext is still in its development stages to


7.4 Multimedia and Hypermedia– Improve the users interest in DSS as well as to enhance

the capabilities of the decision maker.– Hypertext has been integrated with expert system in

improve the transfer the knowledge. Because both of them have this objective. Such integration enables a powerful knowledge representation including easy access to colors, windows, and mouse control. Effective communication takes place between expert and novice, teacher and pupil, consultant and manager.

Multimedia, hypermedia, the Web and the Object-oriented Approach

– As database management system are evolving into object-oriented systems, where is a growing trend toward managing objects within the database. These objects may be any of a number of multimedia data types, and contain hypermedia documents.


7.4 Multimedia and Hypermedia– The individual GUI icons are characterized as standard

objects that are used for interaction with users. The details of the programs that describe the objects are encapsulated, or hidden from the user. All the user sees is what appears on the screen, such as button or checkbox. OO languages have evolved to handle the more complex but useful properties of the GUI objects and vice versus. Standardization of the characteristics of the objects is beneficial to system designers, especially in the creation of reusable code and repositories of objects.

– Visual programming is another aspects of the object-oriented approach. Visual Basic, Visual C++, and other visual programming systems do not really provide for the level of encapsulation that the object-oriented approach demands.


7.4 Multimedia and Hypermedia– Because the database vendors support the delivery of

data to Web browsers, a number of multimedia, hypermedia object-oriented applications have been deployed via the Internet and intranet.. These include KnowledgeWave (GINESYS. Corp.), help desk software and GTE Superpages, an online business yellow pages based on an object database, front-ending legacy systems with Web browsers and optimization of network traffic for the Web.

Electronic Document Management and Decision MakingThere are several major problems with paper documents,

including document maintenance: Does everyone have the current version? How often does it need to be updated? How can the distribution of documents to the appropriate individuals in a timely manner be


7.4 Multimedia and Hypermedia– Managed? If documents in electronic form are provided

by a single repository (typically a Web browser), only the current version need be provided. Access can be restricted as is required. For example, many firms maintain their telephone directories in electronic form to eliminated hard-copy distribution and constant correction and redistribution. Essentially, electronic document management (EDM) systems provide information to decision makers in a usable format, much like an executive information systems. The Thomas Book Company uses a PC-based document management system to handle refund travel applications. It has automated the workflow process process and helped the firm double its volume of business while only increasing about 33% more staff.

– Representative EDM products include CyberDocs and Docs Open. (PC Doc Corp. http://www.pcdocs.com)


7.5 Virtual Reality– Electronic Publishing Management System (EPMS,

Dataware Technologies Inc. Htpp://www.dataware.com)and Enterprise Document Management System (EDMS), etc.

3-D presentation Increasing trend of 3-D user interface application today.

Particular in manufacturing and marketing environments. Because it provides a rich opportunities for powerful interactions that use the mind’s natural experiences in spatial perception. The advantages of 3-D interface is that 3-D allows for more impressive, and the possibility for use of colors is greater. Disadvantages are difficult to implement and expensive.

Most interest fields in 3-D is Virtual Reality (VR)


7.5 Virtual Reality Overview of Virtual Reality

With VR, instead of looking at a flat computer screen, the user interacts with 3-D computer-generated environment. To interact with control objects or move around, the user wears a computerized behavior-transducing head-coupled display (headset) and hand position sensor (gloves). VR displays achieve the illusion of a surrounding medium by updating the display in real time. The user can grasp and move virtual objects. VR is available in some games and in limited commercial applications.

Virtual Reality and Decision Making Most VR application to date are used to support decision

making indirectly. For example, Boeing developed a virtual aircraft mockup to test designs. Several other VR applications for assisting in manufacturing and for converting military technology to civilian are being used at


7.5 Virtual Realitybeing used at Boeing. At Volvo, VR is used to test virtual cars in virtual accidents: they also use VR in the design process. Another VR application area is data visualization. Decision makers are faced with an ever-increasing amount of information. VR can help financial decision makers form a better sense of their data by using visual, spatial, and aural immersion virtual systems. For example, some stock brokerages have a VR application in which users surf over a landscape of stock futures, with color, hue, and intensity indicating deviation from current share prices. Sound is used to convey other information, such as current trends or the debt/equity ratio.

Virtual Reality and Web

A platform independent standard for VR called Virtual Reality Markup Language (VRML) makes navigation through online supermarket and museums as easy as


7.5 Virtual Reality interacting with textual information. VRML allows the

creation of objects that are rendered as a Web user “walks” through a virtual room.A user can click on an object to view it. At the moment, regular browser (such as Netscape, Explorer) can be used, but VRML browser will soon be in wide circulation. Special VRML tools allows the user and objects to move and interactively from the real sales associates.

Virtual shopping in supermarkets could help the sluggish current interest in home grocery shopping. In the future, shoppers will enter a virtual supermarket, walk through the virtual aisles, take virtual products, and put them in the virtual cart. This could help in removing some of resistance to virtual shopping. Virtual malls are designed to give the user the feeling of walking in a shopping mall.

VR is just beginning to move to decision making. 3-D world on the Web will become popular because they make data more accessible.


7.5 Virtual RealityExamples of Virtual Reality ApplicationsIndustry Applications

Automative/heavy equipment/military Design testingVirtual PrototypingEngineeing AnalysisErgonomic analysisVirtual Simulation of Assembling, production, and maintenanceTraining

Medicine Training surgeons (with simulator)SurgeryPhysical therapy

Research/education Virtual physical LabHurricane studiesGalaxy configurationRrepresentation of complex mathVirtual museums

Amusement 3-D race car gamesAir combat simulation (on PC)Virtual reality arcadesVirtual reality parks


7.6 Geographic Information System Overview

A GIS is a computer-based system for capturing, storing, checking, integrating, manipulating, and displaying data using digitized maps. GIS’s most distinguishing characteristic is that every record or digital object has an identified location. By integrating maps with spatially oriented database (called “geocoding”), users can increase their productivity and the quality of their decisions. GIS can provide access to types of information not otherwise available. Maplike information is used by thousands of organizations.

GIS softwareGIS software varies in capabilities from single computerized mapping systems to enterprise-wide DSS tools for decision support data analysis. Clearly, a high-quality graphic display and fast computation and search


7.6 Geographic Information Systemspeeds are necessary, so most early GIS implementations were developed for mainframes and later for Unix Workstations. Since the early 1990s, however, powerful PC and Macintosh implementations have been developed. Many early GIS developments were at universities and government and military agencies. These organizations continue to provide advances in the field and in many cases provides low-cost or free GIS software that is fully functional.

GIS data

GIS data may be developed in-house or purchased. GIS data are available from a wide variety of sources. Government sources (via the Internet or CD-ROM) provide some data, and vendors also provide data (CD-ROMs from MapInfo. Troy, NY; FirstMap form Wessex Inc. Winnetka.IL).


7.6 Geographic Information System GIS and Decision Making

In 1960s, high cost, prohibited to useNow, inexpensive, widely used.

The application fields:– Dispatch of emergency vehicles.– Transit management– Facility site selection– Wildlife management

For many companies, the intelligent organization of information within a GIS can provide a framework to support the process of making decisions and designing alternative strategies. Popular applications include political campaign support, consumer marketing and sales supports, sales and territory analysis, site selection, fleet management, route planning, disaster planning, and regulatory compliance.


7.6 Geographic Information System Success of GIS is highly dependent on good information.

GIS are providing to be a significant tactical tool for identifying product niches by geography facilities presentations, improving comprehension, identifying logistical problems, and developing marketing strategies.

For a decision maker to learn more about GIS and whether it can be an effective tool in an organization, the conventional wisdom is try out of low-cost or free software to gain a sense of its true capabilities. Then, survey the software on the market to identify the GIS that can handle the requisite decision making situations.

GIS and the WebMost major business application software vendors are providing Web access (such as embedded browser) or Web server hooks directly into their software. These application include database (enterprise-wide and personal), spreadsheet, and word processing software. This also


7.6 Geographic Information System applies to GIS. For example, ESRI inc.’s MapObjects

Internet mapping server allows users can access dynamics maps and data via the Internet or a corporate intranet. MapInfo also released its mapping suite for online applications. MapInfo’s ProServer software runs over the Internet and intranets, much like most database software development systems.

Number of firms are deploying GIS on the internal use or for use by their customers. For example, Visa Plus, which operates a network of Automated Teller Machines, has developed a GIS application that lets Internet users call up a locator map for any of the company’s 257,000 ATM machines worldwide.

As GIS Web server software is deployed by vendors, more applications will be developed.


7.6 Geographic Information System Emerging GIS Application

– Technology of GIS is stable, the number of suppliers of GIS software and the number of databases are increasing, and there are sound support groups and practices and a wide variety of aftermarket providers. Prices for hardware and software are dropping and the capabilities are increasing dramatically. More low-cost desktop applications over client/server systems will be deployed. More analytical tools will be incorporated into GIS as spatial data and multimedia databases becomes more widespread.

– The integration of GIS and global positioning satellites (GPS) will transforming the aviation and shipping industries. It enables vehicles or aircraft equipped with a GPS receiver to pinpoint their locations as they move. Emerging application of GPS include personal automobile mapping systems,


7.6 Geographic Information Systemrailroad car tracking, and earth-moving equipment tracking. Now the price is rather high , but it is dropping with improvement in hardware, increased demand, and more vendors. Also, GPS has become a major source of new GIS data.

– Some researchers have developed intelligent GIS that link a GIS to an expert system such as application in irrigation scheduling and forest pest management.

– Improvement in the GIS user interface have substantially altered the GIS look and feel. Advanced visualization and computer graphics will be increasingly integrated with GIS capabilities, especially animated and interactive maps. GIS will be able to provide information for virtual reality engines, and to use such standards to display information to decision makers. Object-oriented programming and database are likely to improve GIS. Multimedia and Hypermedia will will


7.7 Natural Language Processing– play a growing role in GIS, especially in help and

training systems. Object linking and embedding (OLE) will allow users import maps into any document. More GIS will be deployed to provide data and access data over the WWW and organizational intranets as Web-ready GIS software becomes available.

Natural Language Processing (concept).– Procedural Language (program):

• Explicit instructions and • Procedure

– NLP: understanding• Human statement and/or• Translate it into a program

Currently, two major techniques: Key word search (pattern matching) and language processing (syntactic and semantic analysis)


7.7 Natural Language Processing 1. Key word Analysis (Pattern Matching)

– NLP program search sentence for target keywords or phases

– Using Heuristics, Intelligence, Parallel computing.– Example, ELIZA (see www.prenhall.com/turban)

Start

Accept and store input

Scan and search for key

words

Output suitable or

Change input

Develop and output appropriate responseEnd

Input Message Found

More

N

N

Y

Y


7.7 Natural Language Processing

2.Language Processing (Syntactic, Semantic and pragmatic Analysis)

– Disadvantage of Key word pattern matching – Syntax Analysis: sentence construct (arrangement,

subject, predicate, object)– Semantic Analysis: meaning of sentence– Pragmatic Analysis: relate individual sentence to one

another and to he surrounding context NLP: Procedures, how Language processing work

– Five components in Diagram:– Parser, Understander, generator, Lexicon, and

Knowledge base



– Parser: is a software • Syntactically analyzes the input sentence. • Maps the words into a parse tree• Shows the meaning by the parse tree• First Step

Parser

Knowledge Base

Lexicon

GeneratorUnderstander

Input text string

Output



– Lexicon:• Used for the semantic analysis• Containing all of the words• Correct spelling• Containing all meaning for every word• Work together with Parser to produce the parse tree--- new

data structure to help identify the real meaning of the sentence.

• Now, parser is a pattern matcher, need next step– Understander: Semantic analysis

• Together work with KB• Produce the Generator

– Generator• A data structure• Output to user a standard prestored sentence



Applications– Interfaces to database and other software– Abstracting and summarizing text– Knowledge elicitation and machine learning– Grammar analysis– Translation of a natural language into another NL– Translation of a computer language into another CL– Composing letters– Speech understanding


7.8 Speech (voice) recognition and understanding Voice recognition is the process of having the

computer recognize the normal human voice.– When a speech recognition system is combined with

a natural language processing system, the result is an overall system that not only recognizes voice input but also understanding.

– Speech recognition is sometimes applied only to the first part of the process: recognizing the words that have been spoken without necessarily interpreting their meaning.

– Classifying: word recognition, continuous speech recognition, speaker dependent and independent

– Procedure:


7.8 Speech (voice) recognition and understanding

– Voice->Mike->amplifier->bandpass filters->AD/DA->Computer->output, where computer memory has templates, matching program, and words base (lexicon).

– Voice synthesis: let computer to speak. Classifying Speech Recognizers

– Word recognizers: identifies individual words. Such systems are capable of recognizing only a small vocabulary of single words or possible simple phrases. E.g. input command or enter data to a computer.

– Continuous Speech Recognizers: recognize a continuous flow of words. More difficult than word recognizers


7.8 Speech (voice) recognition and understanding

– Speaker dependent: customized to the voice of the particular individual. Therefore, only specific user can use it. Such as training systems.

– Speaker independent: anyone can use the system.

Advantages of Speech Recognition– Ease of access. Many people can speak more than can

types.– Speed. – Manual freedom– Remote access– Accuracy


Assignments (individual)

1. Define User Interface Management System.

2. Describe how hypertext works, what is its major advantages?

3. Define a Virtual Reality.

4. Define a GIS, describe the major benefits of GIS

5. Why is the EDM important?

6. What is the Natural Language Processing (NLP)?

7. Why is the user interface the most import determinant of success of the MSS implementation

Date post:	31-Dec-2015
Category:	Documents
Upload:	noah-hawkins
View:	228 times
Download:	2 times

CHAPTER 7 User Interface and Decision Visualization Application.

Documents